Brain Injury Services client looking to future

INJURED

Grant Hutchings and his friend had both been drinking but they got into a car anyway. With his friend behind the wheel, the car went into a ditch and flew through the air, hitting a tree.

It was two days after Hutching’s 20th birthday.

The accident, which was on Highway 53 in Ancaster, left Hutchings’ heart punctured, his jaw shattered and every disc in his back was slippped. Hutchings was in a coma for 10 days and his family was told that if he did wake up, he would likely never walk or talk.

When Hutchings woke up, he had amnesia and didn’t remember anyone or anything. He was fully paralyzed on one side.

He was told he would never go to school, would walk with a limp and talk with a slur.

That was July 1990. Hutchings is now 42. He walks and he definitely talks. He is in his second year at Mohawk College.

“That two-second decision to get in that car affected the rest of my life forever,” Hutchings said.

After eight weeks in hospital, Hutchings’ body rehabilitated and his memory slowly came back. But the former apprentice chef did not have the fine motor skills on his left side to continue in that profession.

Hutchings attended a half-day program Monday to Friday for 18 months. The staff helped him with life skills and fine motor skills.

One of his favourite activities was to play Scrabble, which helped him with word retrieval, which can be difficult for people with a brain injury. He also fondly remembers volunteering at the Good Shepherd Centre, which also helped Brain Injury Services clients with social skills and provided the chance to enhance the skills needed for work.

After he received a financial settlement from his accident, Hutcings started using cocaine and he quit Brain Injury Services. In 2005, he suffered a stroke as a result of his previous injury and his new lifestyle.

“I have so many good things to say about Brain Injury Services,” said the Dundas resident. “After my stroke, I was embarrassed and ashamed. I didn’t want to go back. But when I did, there was no judgement. They took me back with open arms and helped me with my addicition.”

Three years ago, Hutchings told his case facilitator that he would like go to back to school.

“He took me seriously,” laughs Hutchings, who is now in the second year of the social service worker program at Mohawk. “I wouldn’t have done it without them. Getting motivated is also an issue when you have a brain injury.”

Hutchings is doing well in the program and uses the school’s accessibility services, which include having a note taker in class and having more time to complete exams. He is doing a work placement at the Canadian Mental Health Association.

“I feel so much of my life experience relates to how I can help these people with mental health issues,” he said.

“With a brain injury, you can go into depression. Your life is not what it used to be. You can’t do what you used to do. I was going down the wrong path and falling into a deeper depression.”

Still a client of Brain Injury Services, Hutchings hopes to step away after graduation, knowing he can always call them for support.

“I am the happiest man in the world today. I have a goal, something to strive for. I can put all of my pain to good use to help other people,” he said.

Brain Injury Services

Brain Injury Services is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The not-for-profit agency was established in 1987 and provides rehabilitation services to adults living with the effects of an acquired brain injury.

The organization has about 200 full-time and part-time employees and is funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. It serves individuals in Hamilton, Burlington, Niagara, Brant Haldimand and Norfolk.

Individuals with private insurance use their services through Step Up! ABI Recovery.

Last month, BIS received accreditation from Accreditation Canada.

This process included days of interviews with staff, a review of documents and aspects of the organization including its physical environment and human resources practices. BIS received the highest of three levels, which is Accredited with Exemplary Standards.

BIS’ manager of communications, Robert Roth, has been with the organization for one-and-a-half years.

“I am most impressed by the staff teamwork and their skill and compassion. It’s a tough job and they are doing it in an exemplary way.”

Roth said BIS believes that no matter how severe the injury, everyone can improve.

After an assessment, clients receive help with activities of daily living, social skills, safety, speech, occupational therapy, school-re-entry and job training in an effort to maximize the client’s independence. They also receive help with relationship issues, anger management and addiction.

Brain Injury Services has about 200 clients. The program serves those age 16 and up. But its fee-for-service program Step Up! also serves clients starting at age 13.

Brain Injury Services operates six group homes with two in Hamilton, two in St. Catharines and two in Vineland. It also has 14 one-bedroom transitional living apartments in Hamilton in a city-owned highrise.